Design and baseline characteristics of SALT-HF trial: hypertonic saline therapy in ambulatory heart failure.

AIMS: Hypertonic saline solution (HSS) plus intravenous (IV) loop diuretic appears to enhance the diuretic response in patients hospitalized for heart failure (HF). The efficacy and safety of this therapy in the ambulatory setting have not been evaluated. We aimed to describe the design and baseline characteristics of the SALT-HF trial participants. METHODS AND RESULTS: 'Efficacy of Saline Hypertonic Therapy in Ambulatory Patients with HF' (SALT-HF) trial was a multicenter, double-blinded, and randomized study involving ambulatory patients who experienced worsening heart failure (WHF) without criteria for hospitalization. Enrolled patients had to present at least two signs of volume overload, use ≥ 80 mg of oral furosemide daily, and have elevated natriuretic peptides. Patients were randomized 1:1 to treatment with a 1-h infusion of IV furosemide plus HSS (2.6-3.4% NaCl depending on plasmatic sodium levels) versus a 1-h infusion of IV furosemide at the same dose (125-250 mg, depending on basal loop diuretic dose). Clinical, laboratory, and imaging parameters were collected at baseline and after 7 days, and a telephone visit was planned after 30 days. The primary endpoint was 3-h diuresis after treatment started. Secondary endpoints included (a) 7-day changes in congestion data, (b) 7-day changes in kidney function and electrolytes, (c) 30-day clinical events (need of IV diuretic, HF hospitalization, cardiovascular mortality, all-cause mortality or HF-hospitalization). RESULTS: A total of 167 participants [median age, 81 years; interquartile range (IQR), 73-87, 30.5% females] were randomized across 13 sites between December 2020 and March 2023. Half of the participants (n = 82) had an ejection fraction >50%. Most patients showed a high burden of comorbidities, with a median Charlson index of 3 (IQR: 2-4). Common co-morbidities included diabetes mellitus (41%, n = 69), atrial fibrillation (80%, n = 134), and chronic kidney disease (64%, n = 107). Patients exhibited a poor functional NYHA class (69% presenting NYHA III) and several signs of congestion. The mean composite congestion score was 4.3 (standard deviation: 1.7). Ninety per cent of the patients (n = 151) presented oedema and jugular engorgement, and 71% (n = 118) showed lung B lines assessed by ultrasound. Median inferior vena cava diameter was 23 mm, (IQR: 21-25), and plasmatic levels of N-terminal-pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NTproBNP) and antigen carbohydrate 125 (CA125) were increased (median NT-proBNP 4969 pg/mL, IQR: 2508-9328; median CA125 46 U/L, IQR: 20-114). CONCLUSIONS: SALT-HF trial randomized 167 ambulatory patients with WHF and will determine whether an infusion of hypertonic saline therapy plus furosemide increases diuresis and improves decongestion compared to equivalent furosemide administration alone.

Vericiguat en insuficiencia cardíaca: de la evidencia científica a la práctica clínica / Vericiguat in heart failure: from scientific evidence to clinical practice

A pesar de los tratamientos actuales, el riesgo de muerte y hospitalizaciones en pacientes con insuficiencia cardíaca con fracción de eyección reducida (IC-FEr) sigue siendo elevado. La fisiopatología de la IC-FEr incluye activación neurohormonal caracterizada por la estimulación de las vías deletéreas (sistemas simpático y renina-angiotensina-aldosterona) y la supresión de las vías protectoras como las dependientes del óxido nítrico. La inhibición o estimulación de algunas de estas vías, pero no de todas, es insuficiente. En la IC-FEr existe una menor actividad de óxido nítrico, guanilato ciclasa soluble y GMPc que provoca efectos deletéreos a nivel miocárdico, vascular y renal. Vericiguat estimula la actividad de esta vía protectora. El estudio VICTORIA demostró, en pacientes con IC-FEr y descompensación reciente, que la adición de vericiguat al tratamiento médico óptimo reducía de forma significativa la incidencia del objetivo primario compuesto de muerte cardiovascular u hospitalización por IC, con un número de 24 pacientes que es necesario tratar, y una excelente tolerabilidad (AU)

Despite currently available treatments, risk of death and hospitalizations in patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) remains high. The pathophysiology of HFrEF includes neurohormonal activation characterized by stimulation of deleterious pathways (i.e., sympathetic nervous and renin-angiotensin-aldosterone systems) and suppression of protective pathways such as nitric oxide-dependent pathways. Inhibition or stimulation of some, but not all, of these pathways is insufficient. In HFrEF, there is reduced nitric oxide, soluble guanylate cyclase, and cGMP activity, leading to deleterious effects in the myocardial, vascular, and renal systems. Vericiguat is able to stimulate the activity of this protective pathway. The VICTORIA study demonstrated that the addition of vericiguat to optimal medical treatment in patients with HFrEF and recent decompensation significantly reduced the incidence of the primary endpoint, a composite of cardiovascular death or HF hospitalization, with a number needed to treat of 24 patients and excellent tolerability (AU)

Vericiguat in heart failure: From scientific evidence to clinical practice.

Despite currently available treatments, risk of death and hospitalizations in patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) remains high. The pathophysiology of HFrEF includes neurohormonal activation characterized by stimulation of deleterious pathways (i.e., sympathetic nervous and renin-angiotensin-aldosterone systems) and suppression of protective pathways such as nitric oxide-dependent pathways. Inhibition or stimulation of some, but not all, of these pathways is insufficient. In HFrEF, there is reduced nitric oxide, soluble guanylate cyclase, and cGMP activity, leading to deleterious effects in the myocardial, vascular, and renal systems. Vericiguat is able to stimulate the activity of this protective pathway. The VICTORIA study demonstrated that the addition of vericiguat to optimal medical treatment in patients with HFrEF and recent decompensation significantly reduced the incidence of the primary endpoint, a composite of cardiovascular death or HF hospitalization, with a number needed to treat of 24 patients and excellent tolerability.

Interplay between psychosocial and heart failure related factors may partially explain limitations in self-efficacy in patients with heart failure: Insights from a real-world cohort of 1,123 patients.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Worse self-care is associated with a higher risk of readmission and mortality in patients with heart failure (HF). Little is known about how the interplay between clinical and psycho-social factors may modulate self-care behaviours in these patients. The aim of our study was to identify clinical, and particularly psycho-social factors associated with worse self-care and assess their interaction inpatients with heart failure. METHODS AND RESULTS: We conducted an observational, prospective, cohort study of 1,123 consecutive patients with chronic heart failure. Self-care was assessed with the modified European Heart Failure Self-care Behavior Scale 9-item version (EHFSCBS-9), and both clinical and psycho-social profile of the patients included were also meticulously evaluated. A total of 484 patients (43%) were women, mean age was 72 years, and mean left ventricular ejection fraction was 44.5%. In multivariable analyses combining clinical and psycho-social factors, low social support (OR 3.53, 95% CI [2.13-5.86]; p-value <0.001), absence of caregiver support (OR 2.16, 95% CI [1.34 -3.48]; p-value 0.001) and depressive symptoms (OR 2.40, 95% CI [1.53-3.77]; p-value <0.001) were independent determinants of impaired global self-care. Advanced functional class was associated with better self-care (OR 0.43, 95%CI [0.26-0.70]; p-value 0.001). No other clinical factors remained significantly associated with self-care in these joint models. In discrimination analyses, models containing psycho-social determinants outperformed models only containing heart failure -related (clinical) variables (all p-values<0.001). CONCLUSION: Impairment in self-care behaviour is strongly determined by psycho-social factors. Specifically, low social support, the lack of caregiver support and the presence of depressive symptoms are the main drivers of the risk of impairment of self-care in heart failure patients. Evaluation of self-care and self-care interventions should be complemented by a comprehensive psycho-social assessment in patients with heart failure. ABBREVIATIONS: DAMOCLES, Definition of the neuro-hormonal Activation, Myocardial function, genOmic expressionand CLinical outcomes in hEart failure patients; NYHA, New York Heart Failure Association; GAM, Generalized Additive Model; BMI, Body Mass Index; GDS, GeriatricDepression Scale.

[Recommendations to develop Care Models for patients with Heart Failure (MAIC Project) from macromanagement]. / Recomendaciones para desarrollar Modelos Asistenciales de atención al paciente con Insuficiencia Cardiaca (Proyecto MAIC): Estudio Delphi.

BACKGROUND: The general objective of the study was to reflect on the key factors to advance in optimal models of care for Heart Failure (HF) and specifically, on the macromanagement elements most necessary for the development of comprehensive HF management models. MATERIAL AND METHODS: An Advisory Committee, composed of 15 experts and a multidisciplinary group of 31 additional experts, was appointed, together forming a Delphi panel of 46 experts. Based on a systematic bibliographic review and the analysis of the care course of the patient with HF, an initial battery of key factors for the development of HF care models was identified by the Advisory Committee. This proposal was adjusted and prioritized by the Delphi panel applying Delphi Rand/UCLA methodology. RESULTS: After two Delphi rounds, 75 key factors grouped into 7 challenges were defined. In the first of the challenges, related to the development of HF management models, 16 key factors were identified, 7 of which were valued as high priority and related to the establishment of common objectives, resources for the continuity of care and improving the measurement of health outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: The definition of management elements at the macro level was considered a priority to advance in the development of optimal models of assistance to HF.

Neurohormonal activation induces intracellular iron deficiency and mitochondrial dysfunction in cardiac cells.

BACKGROUND: Iron deficiency (ID) is common in patients with heart failure (HF) and is associated with poor outcomes, yet its role in the pathophysiology of HF is not well-defined. We sought to determine the consequences of HF neurohormonal activation in iron homeostasis and mitochondrial function in cardiac cells. METHODS: HF was induced in C57BL/6 mice by using isoproterenol osmotic pumps and embryonic rat heart-derived H9c2 cells were subsequently challenged with Angiotensin II and/or Norepinephrine. The expression of several genes and proteins related to intracellular iron metabolism were assessed by Real time-PCR and immunoblotting, respectively. The intracellular iron levels were also determined. Mitochondrial function was analyzed by studying the mitochondrial membrane potential, the accumulation of radical oxygen species (ROS) and the adenosine triphosphate (ATP) production. RESULTS: Hearts from isoproterenol-stimulated mice showed a decreased in both mRNA and protein levels of iron regulatory proteins, transferrin receptor 1, ferroportin 1 and hepcidin compared to control mice. Furthermore, mitoferrin 2 and mitochondrial ferritin were also downregulated in the hearts from HF mice. Similar data regarding these key iron regulatory molecules were found in the H9c2 cells challenged with neurohormonal stimuli. Accordingly, a depletion of intracellular iron levels was found in the stimulated cells compared to non-stimulated cells, as well as in the hearts from the isoproterenol-induced HF mice. Finally, neurohormonal activation impaired mitochondrial function as indicated by the accumulation of ROS, the impaired mitochondrial membrane potential and the decrease in the ATP levels in the cardiac cells. CONCLUSIONS: HF characteristic neurohormonal activation induced changes in the regulation of key molecules involved in iron homeostasis, reduced intracellular iron levels and impaired mitochondrial function. The current results suggest that iron could be involved in the pathophysiology of HF.

Primera hospitalización por insuficiencia cardiaca: mortalidad hospitalaria y perfil del paciente / First hospital admission due to heart failure: In-hospital mortality and patient profile

Objetivos: Evaluamos el perfil de paciente y los resultados del primer ingreso hospitalario asociado a un acontecimiento de insuficiencia cardiaca (IC) en el período de tiempo comprendido entre 2010-2014. Diseño: Estudio de cohorte retrospectivo de centro único. Contexto: Utilizamos los datos de un hospital de atención terciaria (Hospital Universitari de Bellvitge, Barcelona, España). Participantes: Se incluyeron todos los pacientes con diagnóstico primario de IC registrados en la base de datos de altas hospitalarias entre los años 2010 y 2014, excluyendo los casos en los que la IC se presentó 10 años antes del episodio objeto de estudio. Intervención: El diagnóstico de IC en atención primaria fue evaluado para diferenciar entre pacientes con IC de inicio y aquellos sin ella. Principales medidas: Los análisis descriptivo, bivariado y multivariado se realizaron usando como variables de agrupamiento la edad, el diagnóstico previo de IC en atención primaria y la muerte hospitalaria. Se ajustaron variables significativas en un modelo de regresión logística lineal para cada resultado. Resultados: Seleccionamos 3.868 primeros ingresos por IC (56,8% de todos los episodios de IC). En 1.220 pacientes (31,7%) el diagnóstico de IC fue realizado por el médico de atención primaria. El modelo principal fue el de una mujer (OR=2,4), con alta prevalencia de hipertensión (OR=1,7), fibrilación auricular (OR=1,3), enfermedad renal crónica (OR=1,6) y tasa de mortalidad del 9,8%. La tasa de muerte intrahospitalaria fue del 5,8%; los principales factores contribuyentes fueron la edad (mayor de 85 años; OR=5,57), la presencia de enfermedad renal crónica (OR=1,44) y la duración del ingreso (7 días; OR=1,90). Conclusiones: Los casos de primer ingreso asociado a IC representan el 56,7% de todos los casos de IC. Aproximadamente un tercio de los pacientes fueron diagnosticados en el momento de su primera hospitalización. El mayor número de casos se dio en el grupo de mujeres ancianas, aunque no solo en ellas. Los principales contribuyentes de muerte intrahospitalaria fueron la edad, la duración del ingreso y la presencia de enfermedad renal crónica

Objectives: We evaluated the patient profile and outcomes of first heart failure (HF) related hospital admission patients in the 2010-2014 period. Design: Retrospective, single-centre, cohort study. Setting: We used administrative data from a tertiary care hospital (Hospital Universitari de Bellvitge, Barcelona, Spain). Participants: All patients with primary diagnosis of HF registered at the hospital discharge database from 2010 to 2014 were included, ruling out that HF was present 10 years prior to the current episode. Intervention: Primary care HF diagnosis status was assessed in order to distinguish new onset from no-new onset patients. Main measures: Descriptive, bivariate and multivariate analysis were performed using age, previous primary care HF diagnosis and in-hospital death as grouping variables. Significant variables were fitted into a Linear logistic regression model for each outcome. Results: We selected 3,868 first HF-related admissions (56.8% of all HF episodes). In 1,220 patients (31.7%) HF was diagnosed by their primary care physician. Main pattern was a woman (OR=2.4), with higher prevalence of hypertension (OR=1.7), atrial fibrillation (OR=1.3), chronic kidney disease (OR=1.6) and mortality rate (9.8%). In-hospital death rate was 5.8%, age over 85 (OR=5.57), chronic kidney disease (OR=1.44) and length of stay over 7 days (OR=1.90) being the main contributors. Conclusions: First HF related admissions account for 56.7% of all HF episodes. Roughly one third of patients were already diagnosed by the time of their first hospital admission. Elderly women were the most frequent, but not the only, group of patients. Age, hospital stay and chronic kidney disease were the main contributors for in-hospital death

First hospital admission due to heart failure: In-hospital mortality and patient profile. / Primera hospitalización por insuficiencia cardiaca: mortalidad hospitalaria y perfil del paciente.

OBJECTIVES: We evaluated the patient profile and outcomes of first heart failure (HF) related hospital admission patients in the 2010-2014 period. DESIGN: Retrospective, single-centre, cohort study. SETTING: We used administrative data from a tertiary care hospital (Hospital Universitari de Bellvitge, Barcelona, Spain). PARTICIPANTS: All patients with primary diagnosis of HF registered at the hospital discharge database from 2010 to 2014 were included, ruling out that HF was present 10 years prior to the current episode. INTERVENTION: Primary care HF diagnosis status was assessed in order to distinguish new onset from no-new onset patients. MAIN MEASURES: Descriptive, bivariate and multivariate analysis were performed using age, previous primary care HF diagnosis and in-hospital death as grouping variables. Significant variables were fitted into a Linear logistic regression model for each outcome. RESULTS: We selected 3,868 first HF-related admissions (56.8% of all HF episodes). In 1,220 patients (31.7%) HF was diagnosed by their primary care physician. Main pattern was a woman (OR=2.4), with higher prevalence of hypertension (OR=1.7), atrial fibrillation (OR=1.3), chronic kidney disease (OR=1.6) and mortality rate (9.8%). In-hospital death rate was 5.8%, age over 85 (OR=5.57), chronic kidney disease (OR=1.44) and length of stay over 7 days (OR=1.90) being the main contributors. CONCLUSIONS: First HF related admissions account for 56.7% of all HF episodes. Roughly one third of patients were already diagnosed by the time of their first hospital admission. Elderly women were the most frequent, but not the only, group of patients. Age, hospital stay and chronic kidney disease were the main contributors for in-hospital death.

Documento de consenso de la Sociedad Española de Cardiología y la Sociedad Española de Medicina Interna sobre el diagnóstico y tratamiento del déficit de hierro en la insuficiencia cardíaca / Consensus Document of the Spanish Society of Cardiology and the Spanish Society of Internal Medicine on the diagnosis and treatment of iron deficiency in heart failure

El déficit de hierro en los pacientes con insuficiencia cardiaca es un problema médico que últimamente suscita un interés particular. Esto se debe a la publicación de varios ensayos clínicos que demuestran que la administración de hierro intravenoso en estos pacientes mejora su capacidad funcional, e incluso reduce los ingresos por descompensación de insuficiencia cardiaca. Sin embargo, la aplicación de la evidencia aportada por estos estudios en la práctica clínica es aún controvertida, tanto en los criterios diagnósticos del déficit de hierro, absoluto y funcional, como en la forma óptima de reposición del hierro. Este artículo es un documento de consenso que integra las recomendaciones de las Sociedades Españolas de Medicina Interna y Cardiología en el que se revisa la evidencia científica y se propone un protocolo de actuación diagnóstica y terapéutica del déficit de hierro en la insuficiencia cardiaca (AU)

Iron deficiency in patients with heart failure is a medical problem of recent particular interest. This interest has resulted from the publication of several clinical trials that demonstrated that the administration of intravenous iron to such patients improved their functional capacity and even reduced the number of hospitalisations for heart failure decompensation. However, applying the evidence from these studies in clinical practice is still controversial, both in terms of the diagnostic criteria for iron deficiency (absolute and functional) and the optimal method for iron replenishment. This article is a consensus document that integrates the recommendations of the Spanish Society of Internal Medicine and the Spanish Society of Cardiology. The article reviews the scientific evidence and proposes a diagnostic and therapeutic performance protocol for iron deficiency in heart failure (AU)

Consensus Document of the Spanish Society of Cardiology and the Spanish Society of Internal Medicine on the diagnosis and treatment of iron deficiency in heart failure. / Documento de consenso de la Sociedad Española de Cardiología y la Sociedad Española de Medicina Interna sobre el diagnóstico y tratamiento del déficit de hierro en la insuficiencia cardíaca.

Iron deficiency in patients with heart failure is a medical problem of recent particular interest. This interest has resulted from the publication of several clinical trials that demonstrated that the administration of intravenous iron to such patients improved their functional capacity and even reduced the number of hospitalisations for heart failure decompensation. However, applying the evidence from these studies in clinical practice is still controversial, both in terms of the diagnostic criteria for iron deficiency (absolute and functional) and the optimal method for iron replenishment. This article is a consensus document that integrates the recommendations of the Spanish Society of Internal Medicine and the Spanish Society of Cardiology. The article reviews the scientific evidence and proposes a diagnostic and therapeutic performance protocol for iron deficiency in heart failure.

Consenso para la mejora de la atención integral de los pacientes con insuficiencia cardíaca aguda: versión resumida / Consensus for improving the comprehensive care of patients with acute heart failure: summarised version

El propósito de este documento de consenso fue alcanzar un acuerdo entre expertos sobre la atención multidisciplinar de los pacientes con insuficiencia cardíaca aguda. A partir de una revisión narrativa sobre la atención a estos pacientes y de un análisis crítico de los procedimientos asistenciales, se identificaron las carencias y mejoras potenciales y se formalizó un documento de recomendaciones para optimizar el abordaje clínico y terapéutico de la insuficiencia cardíaca aguda, validado mediante una sesión grupal presencial dirigida con técnicas participativas. El resultado del proceso es un conjunto de 36 recomendaciones formuladas por expertos de la Sociedad Española de Cardiología, la Sociedad Española de Medicina Interna y la Sociedad Española de Urgencias y Emergencias, orientadas a optimizar el reto asistencial que supone la atención de los pacientes con insuficiencia cardíaca aguda en el contexto del actual Sistema Nacional de Salud (AU)

The purpose of this consensus document was to reach an agreement among experts on the multidisciplinary care of patients with acute heart failure. Starting with a narrative review of the care provided to these patients and a critical analysis of the healthcare procedures, we identified potential shortcomings and improvements and formalised a document on recommendations for optimising the clinical and therapeutic approach for acute heart failure. This document was validated through an in-person group session guided using participatory techniques. The process resulted in a set of 36 recommendations formulated by experts of the Spanish Society of Cardiology, the Spanish Society of Internal Medicine and the Spanish Society of Urgent and Emergency Care. The recommendations are designed to optimise the healthcare challenge presented by the care of patients with acute heart failure in the context of Spain's current National Health System (AU)

Consensus for improving the comprehensive care of patients with acute heart failure: summarised version.

The purpose of this consensus document was to reach an agreement among experts on the multidisciplinary care of patients with acute heart failure. Starting with a narrative review of the care provided to these patients and a critical analysis of the healthcare procedures, we identified potential shortcomings and improvements and formalised a document on recommendations for optimising the clinical and therapeutic approach for acute heart failure. This document was validated through an in-person group session guided using participatory techniques. The process resulted in a set of 36 recommendations formulated by experts of the Spanish Society of Cardiology, the Spanish Society of Internal Medicine and the Spanish Society of Urgent and Emergency Care. The recommendations are designed to optimise the healthcare challenge presented by the care of patients with acute heart failure in the context of Spain's current National Health System.

Foro de debate: seguridad de las alternativas a la transfusión alogénica en el paciente quirúrgico y/o crítico / Forum for debate: Safety of allogeneic blood transfusion alternatives in the surgical/critically ill patient

Estos últimos años han aparecido alertas de seguridad, no siempre bien sustentadas, que cuestionan el uso de algunas alternativas farmacológicas a la transfusión de sangre alogénica y/o lo restringen en indicaciones establecidas. Asistimos también a la preconización de otras alternativas, incluyendo productos hemáticos y fármacos antifibrinolíticos, sin que haya una base científica sólida que lo justifique. Por iniciativa del Grupo de Estudios Multidisciplinares sobre Autotransfusión y del Anemia Working Group España se reunió a un panel multidisciplinar de 23 expertos del área de cuidados de la salud en un foro de debate para: 1) analizar las diferentes alertas de seguridad en torno a ciertas alternativas a la transfusión; 2) estudiar los antecedentes que las han propiciado, la evidencia que las sustentan y las consecuencias que conllevan para la práctica clínica, y 3) emitir una valoración argumentada de la seguridad de cada alternativa a la transfusión cuestionada, según el uso clínico de la misma. Los integrantes del foro mantuvieron contactos por vía telemática y una reunión presencial en la que presentaron y discutieron las conclusiones sobre cada uno de los elementos examinados. Se elaboró un primer documento que fue sometido a 4 rondas de revisión y actualización hasta alcanzar un consenso, unánime en la mayoría de los casos. Presentamos la versión final del documento, aprobada por todos los miembros del panel, esperando sea de utilidad para nuestros colegas

In recent years, several safety alerts have questioned or restricted the use of some pharmacological alternatives to allogeneic blood transfusion in established indications. In contrast, there seems to be a promotion of other alternatives, based on blood products and/or antifibrinolytic drugs, which lack a solid scientific basis. The Multidisciplinary Autotransfusion Study Group and the Anemia Working Group España convened a multidisciplinary panel of 23 experts belonging to different healthcare areas in a forum for debate to: 1) analyze the different safety alerts referred to certain transfusion alternatives; 2) study the background leading to such alternatives, the evidence supporting them, and their consequences for everyday clinical practice, and 3) issue a weighted statement on the safety of each questioned transfusion alternative, according to its clinical use. The members of the forum maintained telematics contact for the exchange of information and the distribution of tasks, and a joint meeting was held where the conclusions on each of the items examined were presented and discussed. A first version of the document was drafted, and subjected to 4 rounds of review and updating until consensus was reached (unanimously in most cases). We present the final version of the document, approved by all panel members, and hope it will be useful for our colleagues

Pharmaco-economics of levosimendan in cardiology: a European perspective.

INTRODUCTION: Heart failure places a significant economic burden on health care. Acute heart failure requires hospitalization and often frequent re-hospitalization in expensive wards where vasoactive rescue therapy is often added on top of standard medications. In these lean times, there is a growing need for cost-effective therapeutic options that supply superior support and in addition shorten the length of stay in hospital and reduce re-hospitalization rates. The inodilator levosimendan represents the latest addition to the vasoactive treatments of acute heart failure patients, and it appears to meet these expectations. Our aim was to answer the question whether the treatment efficacy of levosimendan - when selected as therapy for patients hospitalized for acute heart failure - brings savings to hospitals in various European countries representing different economies. METHODS AND RESULTS: We took a conservative approach and selected some a fortiori arguments to simplify the calculations. We selected seven European countries to represent different economies: Italy, Spain, Greece, Germany, Sweden, Finland and Israel. Data on the costs of medications and on the cost per day were collected and fed in a simple algorithm to detect savings. These saving varied from country to country, from a minimum of €0.50 in Germany to a maximum of €354.64 in Sweden. CONCLUSIONS: The use of levosimendan as a therapy for patients hospitalized for acute heart failure provides a net saving to hospitals driven by a reduction in the length of hospital stay. This finding is true in each of the countries considered in this study.

Forum for debate: Safety of allogeneic blood transfusion alternatives in the surgical/critically ill patient.

In recent years, several safety alerts have questioned or restricted the use of some pharmacological alternatives to allogeneic blood transfusion in established indications. In contrast, there seems to be a promotion of other alternatives, based on blood products and/or antifibrinolytic drugs, which lack a solid scientific basis. The Multidisciplinary Autotransfusion Study Group and the Anemia Working Group España convened a multidisciplinary panel of 23 experts belonging to different healthcare areas in a forum for debate to: 1) analyze the different safety alerts referred to certain transfusion alternatives; 2) study the background leading to such alternatives, the evidence supporting them, and their consequences for everyday clinical practice, and 3) issue a weighted statement on the safety of each questioned transfusion alternative, according to its clinical use. The members of the forum maintained telematics contact for the exchange of information and the distribution of tasks, and a joint meeting was held where the conclusions on each of the items examined were presented and discussed. A first version of the document was drafted, and subjected to 4 rounds of review and updating until consensus was reached (unanimously in most cases). We present the final version of the document, approved by all panel members, and hope it will be useful for our colleagues.

Repetitive use of levosimendan for treatment of chronic advanced heart failure: clinical evidence, practical considerations, and perspectives: an expert panel consensus.

BACKGROUND: The intravenous inodilator levosimendan was developed for the treatment of patients with acutely decompensated heart failure. In the last decade scientific and clinical interest has arisen for its repetitive or intermittent use in patients with advanced chronic, but not necessarily acutely decompensated, heart failure. Recent studies have suggested long-lasting favourable effects of levosimendan when administered repetitively, in terms of haemodynamic parameters, neurohormonal and inflammatory markers, and clinical outcomes. The existing data, however, requires further exploration to allow for definitive conclusions on the safety and clinical efficacy of repetitive use of levosimendan. METHODS AND RESULTS: A panel of 30 experts from 15 countries convened to review and discuss the existing data, and agreed on the patient groups that can be considered to potentially benefit from intermittent treatment with levosimendan. The panel gave recommendations regarding patient dosing and monitoring, derived from the available evidence and from clinical experience. CONCLUSIONS: The current data suggest that in selected patients and support out-of-hospital care, intermittent/repetitive levosimendan can be used in advanced heart failure to maintain patient stability. Further studies are needed to focus on morbidity and mortality outcomes, dosing intervals, and patient monitoring. Recommendations for the design of further clinical studies are made.

Tendencias y variables predictoras de hospitalización, reingreso y duración de la estancia hospitalaria en los pacientes ambulatorios con insuficiencia cardíaca / Trends and predictors of hospitalization, readmissions and length of stay in ambulatory patients with heart failure

Objetivos. En los pacientes ambulatorios con insuficiencia cardiaca crónica apenas se conocen las variables pronósticas de hospitalización, y es posible que las variables conocidas no sean aplicables a la población de los países mediterráneos. El objetivo del presente estudio es documentar las tendencias longitudinales en las hospitalizaciones e identificar las variables predictoras de ingreso, reingreso y duración de la estancia hospitalaria en la población objeto del estudio. Métodos. Estudio de cohorte retrospectivo, poblacional, efectuado en Cataluña (noreste de España). Se incluyeron a 7.196 pacientes ambulatorios (58,6% mujeres, edad media: 76 años). Se seleccionaron los pacientes elegibles a partir de la historia clínica electrónica de los centros de atención primaria y se les controló durante 3 años. Resultados. A los 3 años del seguimiento, en conjunto, 645 (9,0%) pacientes fueron ingresados por una causa cardiovascular, el 37% presentó un reingreso, y la duración mediana de la estancia hospitalaria fue de 9 (límites intercuartil:5-17) días. La insuficiencia renal crónica (odds ratio [OR]:1,98 [1,62-2,43]), la cardiopatía isquémica (OR:1,72; intervalo de confianza [IC] del 95%:1,45-2,04), la diabetes mellitus (DM) (OR:1,50; IC 95%:1,27-1,78) y la enfermedad pulmonar obstructiva crónica (OR:1,43; IC 95%:1,16-1,77) aumentaron el riesgo de hospitalización. La DM (OR:1,70; IC 95%:1,22-2,38), la cardiopatía isquémica (OR:1,85; IC 95%:1,33-2,58) y la hipertensión arterial (OR:1,66; IC 95%:1,11-2,46) aumentaron el riesgo de reingreso. La insuficiencia renal crónica (OR:2,21; IC 95%:1,70-2,90), la cardiopatía isquémica (OR:2,19; IC 95%:1,73-2,77), la DM (OR:1,70; IC 95%:1,34-2,15), la hipertensión arterial (OR:1,51; IC 95%:1,13-2,01) y la enfermedad pulmonar obstructiva crónica (OR:1,37; IC 95%:1,02-1,83) aumentaron el riesgo de duración prolongada de la estancia hospitalaria. Conclusiones. El presente estudio identificó las variables predictoras de hospitalización, los reingresos y la duración prolongada de la estancia hospitalaria que pueden ayudar a los médicos y gestores hospitalarios a identificar a los pacientes en alto riesgo, que deben ser los destinatarios de la planificación de los servicios y de las acciones preventivas establecidas(AU)

Objectives. Little is known on predictors of hospitalisation in ambulatory patients with chronic heart failure, and known predictors may not apply to Mediterranean countries. Our aim was to document longitudinal trends in hospitalisations and identify patient-related predictors of hospital admission, re-admission and length of stay in the targeted population. Methods. Population-based retrospective cohort study in Catalonia (North-East Spain), including 7196 ambulatory patients (58.6% women; mean age 76 years). Eligible patients were selected from the electronic patient records of primary care practices, and followed for 3 years. Results. At 3 years of follow up overall 645 (9.0%) patients had cardiovascular hospitalisation, 37% were readmitted, and median length of stay was 9 (interquartile range 5–17) days. Chronic kidney disease [odds ratio (OR)=1.98 (1.62–2.43)], IHD [OR=1.72 (1.45–2.04)], DM [OR=1.50 (1.27–1.78)] and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease [OR=1.43 (1.16–1.77)] increased the risk for hospitalisation. DM [OR=1.70 (1.22–2.38)], IHD [OR=1.85 (1.33–2.58)] and HTA [OR=1.66 (1.11–2.46)] increased the risk for readmissions. Chronic kidney disease [OR of 2.21 (1.70–2.90)], IHD [OR of 2.19 (1.73–2.77)], DM [OR=1.70 (1.34–2.15)], HTA [OR=1.51 (1.13–2.01)], chronic obstructive pulmonary disease [OR=1.37 (1.02–1.83)] increased the risk for long length of stay in hospital. Conclusions. Our study identified predictors of hospitalisation, readmissions and long length of stay which can help clinicians and managers to identify high risk patients which should be targeted on service planning and when designing preventive actions(AU)

Trends and predictors of hospitalization, readmissions and length of stay in ambulatory patients with heart failure.

OBJECTIVES: Little is known on predictors of hospitalisation in ambulatory patients with chronic heart failure, and known predictors may not apply to Mediterranean countries. Our aim was to document longitudinal trends in hospitalisations and identify patient-related predictors of hospital admission, re-admission and length of stay in the targeted population. METHODS: Population-based retrospective cohort study in Catalonia (North-East Spain), including 7196 ambulatory patients (58.6% women; mean age 76 years). Eligible patients were selected from the electronic patient records of primary care practices, and followed for 3 years. RESULTS: At 3 years of follow up overall 645 (9.0%) patients had cardiovascular hospitalisation, 37% were readmitted, and median length of stay was 9 (interquartile range 5-17) days. Chronic kidney disease [odds ratio (OR)=1.98 (1.62-2.43)], IHD [OR=1.72 (1.45-2.04)], DM [OR=1.50 (1.27-1.78)] and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease [OR=1.43 (1.16-1.77)] increased the risk for hospitalisation. DM [OR=1.70 (1.22-2.38)], IHD [OR=1.85 (1.33-2.58)] and HTA [OR=1.66 (1.11-2.46)] increased the risk for readmissions. Chronic kidney disease [OR of 2.21 (1.70-2.90)], IHD [OR of 2.19 (1.73-2.77)], DM [OR=1.70 (1.34-2.15)], HTA [OR=1.51 (1.13-2.01)], chronic obstructive pulmonary disease [OR=1.37 (1.02-1.83)] increased the risk for long length of stay in hospital. CONCLUSIONS: Our study identified predictors of hospitalisation, readmissions and long length of stay which can help clinicians and managers to identify high risk patients which should be targeted on service planning and when designing preventive actions.